How Not to Be Pathetic | Stoic Philosophy & Emotions

The Stoics pursued a mental state called ‘apatheia’ (from which the English word ‘apathy’ derived). They saw this mental state as a condition for living according to nature; the latter is a Stoic’s ultimate goal and virtue. However, the word ‘apathy’ in contemporary language has a different meaning than the Greek ‘apatheia,’ as ‘apathy’ has a pretty negative charge, pointing to a state of emotional numbness.

The Stoic meaning of ‘apatheia’ is different, as it refers to a mind that isn’t disturbed by the passions (or “patheia”), not the absence of emotions altogether. So, being ‘apathetic’ in the Stoic sense means ‘being undisturbed by the passions’ or ‘equanimity,’ a pleasurable state in which we feel emotionally calm and content. But what about the opposite, namely, being ‘pathetic?’ This video explores the roots of patheticness, the harmful consequences, and how we can avoid being pathetic through the lens of Stoic philosophy.

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#stoicism #epictetus #stoic

00:00 - Intro
01:24 - What makes us pathetic?
06:10 - Pathos expained
10:43 - How to stop being pathetic?

[logandelehanty]

"Stoicism is about the domestication of emotions, not the elimination of them." -Nassim Taleb

[DemetriPanici]

*”You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” - Marcus Aurelius*

[Amantducafe]

We suffer more in our imagination than in reality. You just earned a subscriber.

[jes]

I had to leave school early and became a shut-in for many years after due to poor mental health.

I spent so much time wondering “How could this have happened to me of all people? I was supposed to have amazing teenage years.”

Your videos are really helping me to accept that things will happen to us that are completely out of our control, and to recognise when they happen and to give them little concern.

Thank you, Einzelgänger.

[WeAreAllOneNature]

10:54 ''Stoicism is the acceptance of fate.''
11:00 ''[Do not] demand that things happen as we wish, but [rather] as they happen. By doing so, we'll be content with what comes our way.''
11:38 ''We neutralize our passions by not wanting so much from the world, nor avoiding or opposing anything.''
11:50 ''Treat the world with moderation and restraint.''

[redpixelranger]

I knew I had problems with 'fear' as described in this video regarding "the fear of something terrible that hasn't happened to me yet".
But, after watching this video, I realized that my 'fear' comes from my 'lust' for popularity, confidence, respect, etc
I guess I unconsciously equated my dissatisfied 'lust' with 'fear of never achieving anything that'll make me feel like an equal to my peers, and thus, will always be a loser in the eyes of others'.

I'll try to care less for what I don't have and be mindful of what I do have and can do.
Thank you for making a great video!

[ReynaSingh]

Releasing the illusion of control is necessary to live freely and courageously

[surikateazul]

Im living in the worst hell that you can imagine. Incredibly hard circumstances and your channel is the only thing that calms me. I’m thinking that you have helped so many people. Thank you so much.

[trevorfranks]

Practicing stoicism to be independent from my immature parents feels like eternal hell, but I keep hoping that there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

[ChessMasteryOfficial]

I read both of your books. They gave me a lot of calm and peace. Thanks! :)

[thoushaltremain]

"For every desire and aversion that we wish to conquer, there's an inner quality that we can develop. For temptations that arouse lust and desire, we have self-control. For adversity, we have optimism. Seeing the silver lining and endurance. For fear and avoidance, there is courage. For unfriendly, ignorant and disrespectful people, there is compassion." Thank YOU Einzelgänger for your insights and badass footage.

[imtired]

I'm glad I found this channel because it's not that emotions are bad it's that I feel them so intensely, and I let them dictate my self-worth. Your channel is helping me realize we can feel things, but that doesn't mean we wallow in them. We also have to look at the reality of the situation.

[paijwa]

Had this in my recommended during a moment of intense anger and it's actually weird how quickly I got calm after listening to this. Like just a few words were enough to put my anger in perspective and calm me down completely. I'm actually astonished at how effective it was.

[janycebrown]

Stop believing your thoughts!
You are stronger than you know ❣

[godnyx]

It's impressive how much happy you will become once you stop feeling entitled and start truly appreciating what you have an start loving yourself! I mean, true happiness!

Edi: Just to be clear, of course we all have our bad times some days (or maybe some parts of each day) but at the bad times, you should always remember your goals and your believes! Good luck everyone!

[vincentnileski]

I have been trying for the last few years to live more like this. I feel like every few months I go through some new revelation. Sometimes an entire video is a message to me, but in this one I really got one very clear message that I feel like has been obvious all along. Lust is not sexual by any means at all. Lust is something you experience where you ignore caution and well wishing. Leaving you only focused on one desire and one outcome. Thank you for your work!!

[sandracairney]

I've been through too much alone to be ever described as pathetic. To profess love for those you feel for is not pathetic its actually strength. To be emotionally honest is the opposite of pathetic.

[TheDhammaHub]

Truth be told, that state of mind has a name in pretty much every religion/spiritual tradition! In Buddhism, it is equanimity, as an example

[Glitchbound]

I love that for every negative passion, there is a positive/neutral way to experience the same thing. My biggest problem is avoidance, but looking at the tasks I avoid as opportunities to be courageous really puts a smile on my face instead of being afraid. Thank you

[debralee]

Being stoic seems to me to be very in alignment with spiritual practice, and "wishing" seems to align with setting intention, ie I wish or intend to achieve equanimity in all situations, which leads to action to have peace-equanimity state of mind in whatever fate brings. Being wishful without action is "magical thinking" or "willful ignorance."